Several galleries were closed to the public, leaving visitors disappointed and scrambling for updates
The British Museum, one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions, found itself in an unusual predicament this weekend, forcing it to partially close its doors to visitors. The unexpected disruption stemmed from an alleged breach of its IT network by a former employee, who reportedly trespassed into the building and shut down several of the museum’s critical systems.
It began late Thursday evening when the Metropolitan Police received reports of an individual unlawfully entering the museum premises. Officers arrived at 20:25 GMT and arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage. According to a museum spokesperson, the individual, an IT contractor, had been dismissed from his position just the week prior. Despite no longer being authorized to access the museum, he managed to re-enter, allegedly targeting the museum’s IT infrastructure.
The consequences of this intrusion were swift and far-reaching. Several galleries were closed to the public on Friday, leaving visitors disappointed and scrambling for updates. In addition, all three of the museum’s temporary exhibitions, including the highly anticipated Silk Roads and Picasso: Printmaker displays, were suspended. “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our visitors,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing that ticket holders had been contacted and offered refunds or the chance to reschedule their visits. “We are working tirelessly to restore full operations.”
The closure came as a significant blow to the British Museum, a global hub that draws millions of visitors annually. In 2023 alone, it welcomed over 5.8 million guests, earning it the distinction of being the UK’s top visitor attraction that year. Its collections, featuring treasures such as the Rosetta Stone, the Anglo-Saxon artifacts of Sutton Hoo, and the contested Parthenon Sculptures, serve as magnets for history enthusiasts and tourists alike. However, this weekend, the museum’s bustling corridors were unusually quiet, with only limited capacity available for members and pre-booked ticket holders.
Visitors who had planned to attend temporary exhibitions were especially affected. Among the closed exhibits was Silk Roads, a journey through the rich cultural exchanges along the ancient trade routes, and Picasso: Printmaker, which explored the artist’s lesser-known work in printmaking. Both exhibitions had garnered widespread attention and were expected to attract thousands of guests over the weekend. For those who had traveled specifically to see these displays, the sudden closures were disappointing.
“It’s frustrating,” said Anna Martinez, who had flown in from Barcelona with her family to catch the Picasso exhibit. “We planned this trip months ago. Now we’re trying to figure out how to salvage the weekend.” Like many others, Anna was offered a refund but expressed dismay at the disruption to her plans.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, museum staff worked around the clock to assess and mitigate the damage caused by the breach. IT teams raced to restore compromised systems, while security personnel reviewed protocols to ensure no further incidents occurred. Although details about the extent of the disruption remain undisclosed, the swift response by authorities likely prevented more significant damage.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police provided additional details on the suspect’s arrest. “The individual caused damage to both security and IT systems within the museum,” the spokesperson said. “He was detained at the scene and has since been bailed pending further inquiries.” The incident highlights the challenges cultural institutions face in safeguarding both their physical and digital infrastructure in an increasingly interconnected world.
The timing of the breach raised further questions, particularly given the museum’s recent efforts to modernize its systems. Over the past decade, the British Museum has invested heavily in technology to improve visitor experiences, from interactive digital guides to ticketing systems. However, this incident underscored vulnerabilities that even the most renowned institutions are not immune to. It also served as a sobering reminder of the potential risks posed by insider threats.
Despite the challenges, the museum remained committed to minimizing disruption and keeping visitors informed. On Saturday morning, long queues formed outside its gates as staff managed limited capacity to accommodate those with existing bookings. For those unable to enter, the museum’s online box office remained open to assist with rescheduling visits or issuing refunds.
Though many visitors were understanding, the incident raised broader concerns about security at major cultural sites. “When something like this happens, it’s not just about inconvenience,” said John Whittaker, a retired teacher from Manchester. “It makes you wonder about how secure these treasures really are.”
The British Museum, known for its resilience through centuries of history, pledged to learn from the experience and prevent similar occurrences in the future. A spokesperson assured the public that investigations were ongoing and that additional safeguards were being implemented.
As the museum worked to return to full operations, it expressed gratitude to its visitors for their patience and understanding. “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this challenging time,” the statement read.
For now, the halls that once echoed with the footsteps of eager crowds were quieter than usual. But as the British Museum navigates this moment of disruption, it remains a steadfast guardian of the world’s cultural heritage, determined to reopen its doors fully and welcome visitors back to its storied galleries.
